I have to argue a lot of it depends on personal preference and what a person finds most important to them. It's near impossible for single headphone to be the best in every category, and if there was such a pair, it would be very very expensive. For me, I like the HE-500 for the thunderous impact when driven through speaker amps.

However, I have to say that I've discovered vocal imaging to be something I find very important now. I've never heard real audiophile-grade speakers til recently, and when I went to demo some bookshelf speakers in a studio room, I found myself simply marveling at how the vocals of a song could be coming from the empty space in between the two speakers, which were set 8 feet apart. After buying a pair of $400 speakers, I found myself listening to them more than my HE-500. Sure the HE-500 was technically superior, more revealing and detailed, faster transients, better impact, but I found the speakers to be more relaxing to listen to. Closing my eyes and hearing the vocalist sing in front of me sound so much more natural than someone's voice coming from the inside of my head. The more I listen to this frontal imaging, the more unnatural I start to find headphones. I don't think any headphones could produce this effect. For this reason alone, I think I prefer these $400 speakers to any of my headphones.

Unfortunately, it's beginning to look like my days into headphones are numbered, at least for a home setup. I'm graduating and going to speakers.

And it's partially the HE-500's fault. Had I never gotten speaker amps for it, I probably would not have tried out speakers.

I did manage to demo some floorstanding speakers this weekend with price ranging from $1500 to $3000. I found myself to like the MartinLogan Motion line. The Motion 20 and 40 were very good and improved upon the Motion 4 sound by having a fuller body. I think I like the Motion series because of the forward vocals and the sparkly highs. I think the $3000 Bowers and Wilkins CM9 was the best I heard there. It had a wider soundstage and better imaging than the MartinLogans and was more engaging, but was also more expensive. I also tried the MartinLogan Electromotion ESL electrostatic speakers, which were the ones I was more curious about and the reason I went in to demo, but was actually disappointed in them. The vocals were thinner compared to the Motion 40 or 20. I think for my room size the Motion 20 would be best suited, but decided against dropping another $1500 so quickly without demoing more brands.

I have to argue a lot of it depends on personal preference and what a person finds most important to them. It's near impossible for single headphone to be the best in every category, and if there was such a pair, it would be very very expensive. For me, I like the HE-500 for the thunderous impact when driven through speaker amps.

However, I have to say that I've discovered vocal imaging to be something I find very important now. I've never heard real audiophile-grade speakers til recently, and when I went to demo some bookshelf speakers in a studio room, I found myself simply marveling at how the vocals of a song could be coming from the empty space in between the two speakers, which were set 8 feet apart. After buying a pair of $400 speakers, I found myself listening to them more than my HE-500. Sure the HE-500 was technically superior, more revealing and detailed, faster transients, better impact, but I found the speakers to be more relaxing to listen to. Closing my eyes and hearing the vocalist sing in front of me sound so much more natural than someone's voice coming from the inside of my head. The more I listen to this frontal imaging, the more unnatural I start to find headphones. I don't think any headphones could produce this effect. For this reason alone, I think I prefer these $400 speakers to any of my headphones.

Unfortunately, it's beginning to look like my days into headphones are numbered, at least for a home setup. I'm graduating and going to speakers.

And it's partially the HE-500's fault. Had I never gotten speaker amps for it, I probably would not have tried out speakers.

Graduate, get a good job and add another "0" or 2 after the $400 and you will be even more amazed. :)

I've been through that before and still have some decent speakers around the house (klipsch ...) but nothing crazy anymore. Speakers = body impact.

Graduate, get a good job and add another "0" or 2 after the $400 and you will be even more amazed. :)

I've been through that before and still have some decent speakers around the house (klipsch ...) but nothing crazy anymore. Speakers = body impact.

Hmm how can someone go from speakers to headphones? How could you have been there and then come down here? I'd be so depressed lol. It would be like being forced to go back to earbuds for me. I think I'd rather not listen to music in that case.

I have to argue a lot of it depends on personal preference and what a person finds most important to them. It's near impossible for single headphone to be the best in every category, and if there was such a pair, it would be very very expensive. For me, I like the HE-500 for the thunderous impact when driven through speaker amps.

However, I have to say that I've discovered vocal imaging to be something I find very important now. I've never heard real audiophile-grade speakers til recently, and when I went to demo some bookshelf speakers in a studio room, I found myself simply marveling at how the vocals of a song could be coming from the empty space in between the two speakers, which were set 8 feet apart. After buying a pair of $400 speakers, I found myself listening to them more than my HE-500. Sure the HE-500 was technically superior, more revealing and detailed, faster transients, better impact, but I found the speakers to be more relaxing to listen to. Closing my eyes and hearing the vocalist sing in front of me sound so much more natural than someone's voice coming from the inside of my head. The more I listen to this frontal imaging, the more unnatural I start to find headphones. I don't think any headphones could produce this effect. For this reason alone, I think I prefer these $400 speakers to any of my headphones.

Unfortunately, it's beginning to look like my days into headphones are numbered, at least for a home setup. I'm graduating and going to speakers.

And it's partially the HE-500's fault. Had I never gotten speaker amps for it, I probably would not have tried out speakers.

This is why the HE-500 left and the Audeze stayed (Well, the LCD-2 left, but only for the LCD-3).

HE-500 doesn't do depth properly. Audeze has more depth and overall a more proper soundstage. Also that thing you mention about vocal imaging...I found the HE-500 to mess the centerstage and couldn't project anything forward decently enough for my taste. Now I can't remember what the LCD-2 were like in terms of that since it's been a few months, but the LCD-3 can definitely get this right (for a headphone at least).

At the end of the day, speakers all the way. If I had to only pick between say SR-009 with BHSE and top DAC or some $100-$200 speakers like my AV30 for the rest of my life, I'd pick the speakers in a heartbeat. Can't beat that natural presentation.

This is why the HE-500 left and the Audeze stayed (Well, the LCD-2 left, but only for the LCD-3).

HE-500 doesn't do depth properly. Audeze has more depth and overall a more proper soundstage. Also that thing you mention about vocal imaging...I found the HE-500 to mess the centerstage and couldn't project anything forward decently enough for my taste. Now I can't remember what the LCD-2 were like in terms of that since it's been a few months, but the LCD-3 can definitely get this right (for a headphone at least).

At the end of the day, speakers all the way. If I had to only pick between say SR-009 with BHSE and top DAC or some $100-$200 speakers like my AV30 for the rest of my life, I'd pick the speakers in a heartbeat. Can't beat that natural presentation.

It's all about driver angling. If the Hifiman drivers are tilted aggressively as well they'd also have the increased depth / decreased width effect to the soundstage.

Hmm how can someone go from speakers to headphones? How could you have been there and then come down here? I'd be so depressed lol. It would be like being forced to go back to earbuds for me. I think I'd rather not listen to music in that case.

lol Sonio, life has its turns. I would never think I am listening to HPs either. So far, I've found HPs very special and of course, convenient. Like right now, it's 10pm where I am. There's no way I can blast my speakers to have the same details and enjoyment as I do now with HPs. It's a compromise! but yeah, I've been thinking of getting back into speakers but my goal is no more than 10wpc if you know what I mean...

And Sonido, it's good to learn to be flexible in life. Music itself is worth enjoying already, regardless from what medium. I am just fine listening to a good song from my son's boombox. Don't get yourself into a bad habit and forget that music is the main reason why you are listening in the first place.

Before I spoil my ears, I'm actually quite comfortable listening at low volumes through these bookshelf speakers. I live in an apartment and I'll play at 2AM though at very low volumes. Even then, I find myself listening to them more than headphones now.

lol Sonio, life has its turns. I would never think I am listening to HPs either. So far, I've found HPs very special and of course, convenient. Like right now, it's 10pm where I am. There's no way I can blast my speakers to have the same details and enjoyment as I do now with HPs. It's a compromise! but yeah, I've been thinking of getting back into speakers but my goal is no more than 10wpc if you know what I mean...

And Sonido, it's good to learn to be flexible in life. Music itself is worth enjoying already, regardless from what medium. I am just fine listening to a good song from my son's boombox. Don't get yourself into a bad habit and forget that music is the main reason why you are listening in the first place.

Well said Koiloco.

Music is why we are all here in this (these?) hobby in the first place.

I'm glad to hear you've finally found your preference for audio reproduction Sonido. Congrats. Just...hang on to your headphones for a while. Hehehe. You never know. But if you need to unload some of that lovely gear...well...hehehe

I did manage to demo some floorstanding speakers this weekend with price ranging from $1500 to $3000. I found myself to like the MartinLogan Motion line. The Motion 20 and 40 were very good and improved upon the Motion 4 sound by having a fuller body. I think I like the Motion series because of the forward vocals and the sparkly highs. I think the $3000 Bowers and Wilkins CM9 was the best I heard there. It had a wider soundstage and better imaging than the MartinLogans and was more engaging, but was also more expensive. I also tried the MartinLogan Electromotion ESL electrostatic speakers, which were the ones I was more curious about and the reason I went in to demo, but was actually disappointed in them. The vocals were thinner compared to the Motion 40 or 20. I think for my room size the Motion 20 would be best suited, but decided against dropping another $1500 so quickly without demoing more brands.

See if you can demo some Magnepan MMGs before you commit to dynamic speakers. I think they have a trial period program in the USA and cost around $600. There is something magical about Magnepans if you can accommodate them in a room that suit their characteristics. I had the MG12s on demo for a while and thought they sounded better than the CM9s (and the HE-500), but the Magnepans need a lot of horsepower to sound their best so needs a decent power amplifier. They are also lower on the bass scale (the MMG and MG12), but you can augment them with a bass panel or get a dedicated subwoofer later on. Unfortunately my listening area was too small and the sweet spot too narrow and the fact that they are dipoles also didn't work out that well (not to mentioned they failed the WAF test), but one day perhaps with a different house, I reckon the MG1.7s is all one needs to have a cracking stereo setup. I've also heard some ML ESLs and didn't like the sound much.